Buford’s tennis teams are on opposite spectrums in terms of experience but they both have drive and determination in spades. The girls’ team has three years of varsity experience behind each of their three seniors while the boys’ team has no seniors and only two juniors.
The girls’ team “have had a lot of success over their high school careers winning region twice (remember last year was canceled after 5 matches) and making it to the final four when they were freshmen,” said Sean Gilbert, Buford’s head tennis coach.
So far this year, the girls have an overall season record of 4-3 and they are 1-0 in region play with the region win coming on Mar. 2 when they beat Lanier. The girls have already faced some very tough competition in schools like Mill Creek, South Forsyth, Lambert and Greater Atlanta Christian.
“This year will be very challenging in a new region, and especially in a new classification,” said Gilbert on his take for the remainder of their season.
The doubles teams led by seniors Kennedy Deloach and Taylor Ryzcek have been hard to beat this year and are expected to continue to be competitive throughout the remainder of the season.
“On the Boys side, we are young-no seniors-and just two juniors. Before quarantine last year, this group was developing into a very competitive group and continue to do so this year,” said Gilbert.
The boys’ overall season record is 3-4 and they are 1-0 in region play. Their losses have come from extremely competitive teams like St. Pius, South Forsyth, Lambert and Greater Atlanta Christian. The team is just getting started in playing fellow Region 8-AAAAAA opponents.
When asked about his outlook on the rest of the boys’ season, Gilbert said, “Like the girls, moving up a classification is going to be tough, but we expect to improve as the season continues and be competitive as the year goes on.”
Gilbert is proud of this group of athletes that are Buford High School tennis and most importantly that they are good students and people. “As always, they will represent our school and community with poise and class, and at the end of the day, that’s all you can really ask of anyone,” he said.
Buford tennis will be traveling to Winder to compete against Winder-Barrow on Tuesday, Mar. 9. This is a region match.
Buford girls
2/2/21 – St. Pius (Away). Buford won 4-1
2/4/21 – Mill Creek (Home). Buford won 5-0
2/8/21 – South Forsyth (Home). South Forsyth won 3-2
2/9/21 – Lambert (Away). Lambert won 4-1
2/24/21 – Loganville (Home). Buford won 4-1
3/2/21 – Lanier (Away). Buford won 4-1
3/3/21 – Greater Atlanta Christian (Home). GAC won 3-2
Buford boys
2/2/21 – St. Pius (Away). St. Pius won 4-1
2/4/21 – Mill Creek (Home). Buford won 4- 1
2/8/21 – South Forsyth (Home). South Forsyth won 3-2
2/10/21 – Lambert (Away). Lambert won 3-2
2/24/21 – Loganville (Home). Buford won 5-0
3/2/21 – Lanier (Away). Buford won 5-0
3/3/21 – Greater Atlanta Christian (Home). GAC won 3-2
**TOP PHOTO: Seniors Kennedy Deloach and Taylor Ryzcek playing at No. 1 doubles in their match against Loganville. Photo courtesy of Buford Tennis.
